Edward Segundo REED is a legend, a war hero and a member of the elite Clearance Diver fraternity. Well, that is what he would like us to believe. As is the case with all wannabee’s, the truth about REED is much less dramatic and so much more mundane than the image he portrays.

Edward REED tells an interesting story over a few beers. Examples of his ‘daring do’ have rebounded around the pubs of Sydney for a while now, some of his claims include:

• He had been deployed and came back early from the mission shot in the groin. • He is / was a Chief Warrant Officer and is a Clearance Diver. • He advised that the Navy is treating him for bowel cancer at St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney (Naval Wing) and he’s getting psychologist help from them as well. • He has been promoted and is now in charge of the dive school. • He was either in the same team or trained the young man who was bitten by sharks in Sydney Harbour on a training event. • He has a house in Mosman that he rents out through the Navy. • He can’t have his photo taken because of his job • Was a Clearance Diver (CD) in the 1st Gulf War • Is a Chief Petty Officer (CPO) • Ex SAS Clearance Diver • Has 20 years’ service in the Navy

To add credence to his tales, REED has adorned himself with an impressive rack of medals, none of which he has an entitlement to. REED has been seen strutting his stuff on ANZAC Day wearing;

Australian Active Service Medal (AASM) (Clasp East Timor) – No Entitlement Australian Service Medal (ASM) (Clasp GULF) – No Entitlement INTERFET Medal – No Entitlement Australian Defence Medal (ADM) – Entitled UN Medal (believed to be UN East Timor) – No Entitlement

The truth about Edward REED is far less flattering but nonetheless, it is the truth. REED enlisted in the RAN on the 1st of August 1994, well after the 1st Gulf War so bang goes that story. His trade during his Navy service was as a Boatswains Mate. At some point in his career, REED applied to undertake the Clearance Diver Acceptance Test but withdrew. Similarly, he withdrew from the Scuba Air Diver course twice.

Well, why not? It is much easier to make up stories about being a Clearance Diver than it is to put the bloody hard yards into actually making the grade!

REED discharged from the Navy on the 30th January 1999. He did re-enlist but not until 2nd of September 2002, bang goes the East Timor story. His second stint in the Navy did not go to plan, he spent from 5th December until the 24th December 2003 in military imprisonment before being discharged on 27th July 2004 ‘Retention Not in the Service Interests’ with the rank of Able Seaman. Bang goes the CPO/Warrant Officer story and the Officer in Charge of the Dive School story.

Edward REED is yet another in a growing number of younger ‘wannabes’ who just can’t accept the fact that glory passed them by. He served at sea on board HMAS Melbourne from January 1995 until May 1996. He did not see active service as reflected in the dates relative to HMAS Melbourne’s Battle Honours which include:

East Timor – 2000 Persian Gulf – 2002

The majority of his service during both stints in the Navy was at shore establishments including HMAS Cerberus, Penguin and Maritime Headquarters. Bang goes the wounded in action story.

So, if we look again at REED's claims, just about all of them have been well and truly shot down in flames:

• He had been deployed and came back early from the mission shot in the groin.FALSE - he has never deployed or been on Active Service • He is / was a Chief Warrant Officer and is a Clearance Diver.FALSE - He reached the rank of Able Seaman • He advised that the Navy is treating him for bowel cancer at St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney (Naval Wing) and he is getting psychologist help from them as well.FALSE - If he is ill, it is not related to his service • He has been promoted and is now in charge of the Dive School.FALSE - AB Boatswain's Mate cannot be in charge of the Dive School • He was either in the same team or trained the young man who was bitten by sharks in Sydney Harbour on a training event.FALSE - He was not a Clearance Diver and withdrew from the CD Acceptance Test • He has a house in Mosman that he rents out through the Navy.FALSE - he has not been in the Navy since 2004 • He can’t have his photo taken because of his job.FALSE - See above • Was a Clearance Diver (CD) in the First Gulf War.FALSE - He wasn't even in the Navy at the time of the First Gulf War • Is a Chief Petty Officer (CPO)FALSE - He was an Able Seaman • Ex SAS Clearance DiverFALSE - See above • Has 20 years’ service in the NavyFALSE - he served two stints totalling 10 years.

If you have the misfortune to run across Edward REED at a reunion, or an ANZAC Day gathering, don’t be taken in by his lies. Clearance Divers in the Navy are an elite group, who like their SASR counterparts have endured significant hardship and gruelling training to perform their role. Wannabee’s like Edward REED, who withdrew from the CD acceptance course will try and bluff their way through. However, the truth will always win out. Welcome to our website Edward Segundo REED.